Envy and Strife Equals Confusion and Evil James 3:16

James told his readers within the “twelve tribes scattered abroad” if they had “bitter envying and strife in” their “hearts”, they were not to “glory” and not to “lie against the truth”. He added, “this wisdom descends not from above, but is earthly, sensual” and “devilish”. In chapter three and verse sixteen of his letter, James shared how “confusion and every evil work” is the result of “envying and strife” where we read:

For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.

The verse begins, “For where envying and strife is,...” James began with the word, “For” which means “as, because, even, indeed, no doubt, seeing then, therefore and verily” “where envying” or “whereas, in what place and whither harsh, virulent, sharp and acrid zeal, indignation, fervent mind, jealousy and emulation” “and strife is” which means “that which courts distinction, desire to put one's self forward, partisan and a fractious spirit which does not disdain low arts and partisanship”. James began his conclusion with “envying and strife” by identifying them again.

The verse goes on to say, “...there is confusion and every evil work.” James continued, “there is” or “in this or that place” “confusion” which means “instability, state of disorder and disturbance” “and every” or “each, any, all, the whole, everyone and all things” “evil work” which means “slight, ordinary, mean, worthless, of no account, ethically bad, base and wicked deeds, accomplished facts and matters, questions and affairs”. When “envy and strife” are present “instability and disorder” accompany “every wicked, worthless and ethically bad affair”.

When we think through these words of James, we remember this discourse began with him sharing about the “tongue”. The source of bad language and actions is the condition of the heart. When “bitterness, envy and strife” are present, so are “disorder” and “wicked deeds”. Jesus Christ came to save people from their wickedness known as “sin” which is disobedience to the law and ways of God. If we search and wonder about the origin of “wickedness”, we will discover it is from the conditions of the heart. When we yield our hearts to Jesus, he changes them and “confusion” and “every evil work” disappears.

Next time James shares about “the wisdom that is from above”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

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